Tanzania: Floods Destroy 120 Hectares of Onions in Singida

Singida — THE rains that are currently pounding Singida Region continue to wreak havoc as more than 120 hectares of onions worth S240 million at Kinyeto, Mkimbii, Ntunduu and Minyaa villages have been destroyed by floods.

The Acting District Agricultural and Livestock Development Officer (DALDO) for Singida District Council, Ms Delphina Moshi, told the 'Daily News' that the disaster occurred on January 29, this year, when a record high rainfall of 126mm pounded the area for eight hours.

According to her, the floods affected a number of peasants in the area who cannot replant the onions, at this time, saying that positive measures to salvage the situation were being taken by her department. "We have started distributing millet seeds to the affected peasants free of charge so that they can plant.

For a start, we distributed 600kg which, hopefully, will suffice about 300 hectares to offset the alarming situation," she said adding that more efforts were being taken to get enough millet seeds for the victims.

The acting DALDO called upon those affected by the floods to plant the millet on flat land instead of at steep areas where floods were likely to occur.

Ms Moshi added that heavy rains were still expected and the possibility of other hazardous floods occurring will not be ruled out. In anticipation, she has called upon all peasants in the district to take precautionary measures to avert any forthcoming disaster.

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